SPF 30 or SPF 50? The difference is smaller than most people think - but how you apply sunscreen matters far more than the number on the bottle. In this evidence-based guide, we break down what SPF ratings actually mean, why most people aren’t getting the protection they think they are, when SPF 50 is genuinely worth it, and how UV exposure changes across different US climates. From tanning myths to application mistakes, this is your practical, no-nonsense guide to choosing the right SPF for your skin, lifestyle, and daily routine.

Mineral vs chemical sunscreen: one of skincare’s biggest debates - and one of its most misunderstood. Both protect effectively against UV damage, but they differ in texture, finish, and wearability. This guide breaks down the real science behind both filter types, the truth about “chemical sunscreen” myths, and how to choose the SPF you’ll actually wear every day.

Reapplying sunscreen is the part of SPF that actually keeps your skin protected - but for most people, makeup gets in the way. This guide explains why sunscreen needs topping up throughout the day, how often to reapply, and the easiest ways to layer SPF over makeup without ruining your base. From beauty blender techniques to common SPF mistakes, here’s everything you need to know for real-world sun protection.

Daily SPF is not just a summer habit - it is one of the most important long-term investments you can make in your skin health. In this guide, we break down the science behind year-round UV exposure, explain the difference between UVA and UVB rays, and explore why winter, cloudy days, indoor light through windows, and even daily commutes still expose your skin to cumulative damage. Backed by clinical research and UK seasonal UV data, this article explains exactly how daily broad-spectrum SPF helps prevent premature ageing, pigmentation, collagen breakdown, and long-term skin damage - while showing you how to build an effective winter skincare routine around it.

Learn how long skincare products really last, what the PAO symbol means, and how to store your skincare properly to keep formulas safe, stable, and effective. From Vitamin C and retinoids to cleansing balms and eye creams, this complete guide explains what causes products to expire, when a skincare fridge helps (and when it doesn’t), plus the warning signs a product has gone off.

Skincare acids can transform your skin - when you know which one to use. From glycolic acid for glow and texture, to salicylic acid for breakouts and PHAs for sensitive skin, this guide breaks down exactly what each acid does, who it’s best for, and how to use it safely for clearer, brighter, healthier-looking skin.

Men’s skin is biologically different - producing more oil, experiencing regular shaving stress, and often dealing with larger pores, congestion, and sensitivity. This complete guide breaks down exactly how to build an effective men’s skincare routine, from cleansing and hydration to shaving care, beard maintenance, and product layering. Whether you are starting from scratch or refining your current routine, discover the essential ingredients, routines, and expert-backed tips that help keep male skin clear, healthy, and protected every day

Your skin doesn’t need the same routine all year round - and treating it like it does could be holding your skin back. From winter dryness and barrier disruption to summer oiliness and breakouts, seasonal changes directly affect how your skin behaves. In this complete guide, we break down exactly how to adapt your skincare routine for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, including the products to switch, the ingredients to prioritise, and the signs your skin is giving you each season. Whether your skin is feeling dehydrated, congested, dull, or sensitive, this guide will help you build a routine that works with your skin all year long.

Your skin deserves more than a one-size-fits-all routine. This complete skincare guide breaks down exactly how to build an effective AM and PM routine based on your skin type - whether you’re oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or blemish-prone. From identifying your true skin type to choosing the right actives, layering products correctly, and avoiding the most common skincare mistakes, this guide gives you everything you need to create a routine that actually works. Featuring step-by-step routines, expert ingredient advice, and tailored product recommendations from The INKEY List.

Niacinamide is one of the most effective - and easiest - skincare ingredients to add to your routine. In this complete guide, discover exactly how to use niacinamide serum for clearer, more balanced skin, including when to apply it, how to layer it correctly, what products pair best with it, and how long results realistically take. Whether your skin is oily, dry, blemish-prone, or sensitive, this guide breaks down the routines, mistakes to avoid, and expert application tips that make niacinamide work harder for your skin.

Discover whether vitamin C really causes breakouts - and why the answer is more nuanced than you think. This guide breaks down the difference between purging and true breakouts, explains how formulation and ingredient choice impact blemish-prone skin, and explores why vitamin C can actually help reduce inflammation and fade post-blemish marks. Learn how to introduce vitamin C safely into your routine, what ingredients to avoid pairing it with, and why gentle derivatives like Ascorbyl Glucoside may be the key to brighter, clearer-looking skin

Think hyaluronic acid is only for dry or ageing skin? Think again. If your skin is blemish-prone, breakout-prone, or constantly feels stripped by spot treatments, hyaluronic acid may be the missing step in your routine. Far from clogging pores or causing breakouts, this lightweight humectant helps replenish hydration, support the skin barrier, and create healthier conditions for clearer skin. In this guide, we break down exactly how hyaluronic acid works for blemish-prone skin, whether it can trigger spots, how it supports recovery from breakouts, and the best way to layer it into your routine using INKEY favourites like the Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Salicylic Acid Cleanser, and Omega Water Cream.

Niacinamide is one of the most effective and well-tolerated ingredients for blemish-prone skin - and the science behind it is stronger than most people realise. This guide breaks down exactly how niacinamide helps reduce breakouts through four clinically backed mechanisms: calming inflammation, regulating excess oil, supporting the skin barrier, and helping fade post-breakout marks. We also answer the most searched questions around niacinamide and acne - including whether it causes purging (it doesn’t), whether it can worsen breakouts, and how to build it into a routine that actually works.

Think oily skin doesn’t need hydration? Think again. Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients for oily and blemish-prone skin because it hydrates with water - not oil. In this guide, we break down why oily skin can still be dehydrated, how hyaluronic acid helps balance excess sebum, and why pairing it with niacinamide creates the ultimate routine for clearer, healthier-looking skin. From debunking common myths to explaining the science behind hydration and oil production, discover exactly how to use hyaluronic acid for balanced, shine-controlled skin without heaviness or clogged pores.

The INKEY Oat Cleansing Balm costs just 15p per cleanse - and that number changes everything. Clinically proven to remove waterproof makeup and SPF while supporting the skin barrier, this oat-powered formula delivers approximately 100 uses per tube for £15. In this guide, we break down why cleansing balms outperform wipes and foaming cleansers, what makes oat kernel oil so effective for sensitive skin, and why cost-per-use is the smartest way to shop skincare.

If you’ve started using azelaic acid and suddenly noticed a few new blemishes, don’t panic - you may be experiencing a temporary skin adjustment known as purging. In this guide, we break down exactly how azelaic acid works, whether it can truly cause purging, how long it typically lasts, and how to tell the difference between purging and a real breakout or irritation reaction. You’ll also learn how to minimize the likelihood of purging with the right routine and discover when it’s time to pause and seek advice. Featuring INKEY’s 10% Azelaic Acid Serum, this blog covers everything you need to feel confident introducing this redness-reducing, blemish-targeting ingredient into your skincare routine.

Most body routines miss the step that actually clears skin: exfoliation. Cleansing alone won’t remove the buildup of dead skin cells that leads to bacne, KP bumps, strawberry skin, and dull, rough texture. The Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash is designed to close that gap - combining 5% Glycolic Acid and 5% Lactic Acid with a built-in brush head to deliver both chemical and physical exfoliation in one easy, in-shower step. The result? Smoother, clearer, more radiant body skin - without adding time or complexity to your routine.

Back and chest acne—often called body acne or “bacne”—affect up to 60% of people who experience facial breakouts, yet they’re far less talked about. From sweat and friction to excess oil and hormonal fluctuations, breakouts on the body come with their own unique challenges, especially as the skin on the back and chest is thicker and more prone to congestion. The good news? With the right ingredients and a consistent routine, body acne is highly treatable. In this guide, we break down what causes back and chest acne, the dermatologist-recommended ingredients that actually work—like salicylic acid and glycolic acid—and how to build an effective routine to help you achieve clearer, smoother skin.

Smart skinimalism is the 2026 skincare trend redefining results through simplicity. Backed by science, this approach prioritises skin barrier health and multi-functional ingredients over excessive layering. Discover why simplified routines can reduce irritation by up to 40% and how to build an effective, evidence-based 3-step routine for healthier, more resilient skin.

Struggling with persistent breakouts, pigmentation, or excess oil? The 360 Skin Clearing Serum is here to change your skincare game. This all-in-one formula is designed to visibly improve blemish-prone skin by targeting every stage of a breakouts.

Salicylic acid is a skincare staple for a reason: as an oil-soluble BHA, it gets into pores to help clear acne, blackheads, and excess oil while smoothing texture over time. In this complete guide, we break down what salicylic acid is, how it works, and how to use it safely—plus the best INKEY options for every stage of blemishes, from our bestselling 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser to the advanced 360 Skin Clearing Serum and fast-acting Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patches. Whether you’re new to BHAs or refining your routine, you’ll find science-backed tips on layering, results timelines, and avoiding irritation for clearer, more balanced skin.

Introducing new Blemish Clearing Moisturizer 2% NovoRetinᵀᴹ. A breakthrough moisturizer that’s clinically proven to help fight and reduce blemishes overnight while providing the essential moisturisation that is needed for blemish-prone skin.

If you struggle with breakouts, you’ve probably heard of these ingredients before: Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide. Both are key for keeping skin clear and smooth, but they do so in totally different ways.

Managing oily skin isn’t about stripping it dry – it’s about restoring balance. When you understand how oil production actually works, everything changes. This science-backed guide cuts through the noise to reveal the ingredients that genuinely regulate excess sebum without triggering irritation or rebound oiliness.

Inside, you’ll discover why oily skin behaves the way it does, which clinically-proven ingredients really work (and which ones make things worse), and how to build a simple morning and evening routine that delivers long-term results. From niacinamide and salicylic acid to next-generation breakout fighters and lightweight hydration, this is your evidence-based roadmap to clearer, more balanced skin – without the guesswork.

Consider us your token skincare friend. Meet, Real Results with INKEY. This is our dedicated series where we pass off the mic to our very own customers, who will share their reviews and recommendations on some of our products.

Why does it seem like products become less effective over time? There are a few reasons why this might be the case. We’ll break down the most common reasons we get this question below.

Clogged pores occur when oil and dead skin cells build up inside of pore linings and they expand to accommodate it. Here are our derm-recommended tips for dramatically smaller-looking pores.

It’s fair to say that acne is usually associated with oily skin, or those with normal to combination skin who also experience excess oil. It is less common, but dry skin types can absolutely experience acne, and it can be a hard situation to address – particularly when deciding which skincare to use.

Succinic acid is naturally anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, meaning it works well to curb acne symptoms, where skin suffers redness, irritation and inflammation. Learn more about the benefits Succinic Acid has and how to use it in your skincare routine

It’s a common skincare myth to assume that moisturisers and oils will increase the shine on already oily skin types and add to acne breakouts. Before you skip this essential step, we explore how these products can work with your skin to actually balance oil production as opposed to adding to it.

If your skin has ever seemed to get worse after starting a new active like retinol or acids, don’t panic—this may be skin purging. Purging is a temporary phase where ingredients that speed up cell turnover bring existing congestion to the surface more quickly, which can look like sudden breakouts. While frustrating, it’s often a sign that your product is working, and understanding this process can help you stay consistent and avoid giving up just before clearer, healthier skin starts to show.